Feeler mechanism for looms



A. E. RHOADES.

FEELER-MECHANISM FoRwoM'.

) APPLICATION HLED DEC.2. I920.

Patented June 6, 1922..

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. E. RHOADES. FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 21 19 20.

Patented Julie 6,1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

42 v Invezz 2 02'.

ALONZO. E. RHOADES, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR-TO DRAPER CORFO; RATION, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF' MAINE,

FEELER MECHANISM non tooivis.

Application filed December 2, 1920. Serial No. 427,675.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALoNzo E. RHOADES, a citizen of the United States,.residing; at Hopedale, in the county of'lVorcesterand State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Feeler Mechanisms for Looms, of which the, following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms, whereby a changev in the operative condition'of the loom is effected when the filling in the shuttle becomes substantially exhausted; I

The change in the operation of the loom which is effected by the feeler mechanism, may be, and usually is such as to replenish the filling in the shuttle prior to complete exhaustion, so that the loom may continue to operate to weave perfect cloth, or it may be that the feeler mechanism shall effectloom stoppage. Various forms of feeler mechanisms have been developed foreifecting the change in the operative condition of the loom when the filling becomes substantially exhausted, and one of such types'of mechanisms has comprised an impinging feeler and apenetrating feeler so that when the penetrating feeler was struck by the more dense substance of the filling carrier or bobbin on a detecting beat, it would effect loom stoppage. In this general type of penetrating feeler mechanism, the feeler is normally positioned soas to be struck by the filling on each detecting beat, and to sink into the filling as long as a working supply is present in the shuttle. Inuother words, the penetrating feelerrhas been normally held in active or'operative position. The constant recurring penetration of the pene trating feeler into thefilling is liable to injure certain kinds of filling, andit will happen at times thatlthe shuttle will fail tobe properly boxedon a detecting beat, with the result that the penetrating feeler is liable to strike the bobbin-holding jaws in the shuttle, or the hard wood of the shuttle itself. Should this occur, the penetrating feeler becomes dulled and its ointedend will be liable to more seriously injure the filling.

An important feature of the present invention consists in a feeler mechanism comprising an impinging and a penetrating Specification of Letterslatent. Patented J e "1922 feeler, the latter. of. which is normally held inactive or inoperative so that it will not engage the filling on a detecting beat until the filling approaches substantial exhaustion and is then made active or operative to thereafter determine the condition'of the filling in the shuttle. Thus the constant recurring penetration ofthe feeler during the normal operation pf theloom with a working supply of filling is avoided, and injury to the feeler point, should the shuttle be improperly b0X8(l,O-I} a detecting beat,isobviated.

In the practicaldevelopment of the broad feature of the invention, the penetrating feeler is normally held retracted relative to the implnging feeler,.so'that while the i-m-' pinging feeler Wlll .engagethe filling on each detecting beat, the penetrating feeler willfail to be engaged by the filling, and to move the penetrating feeler into its-feeling position or project it, the present. invention has prov1ded-a penetrating feeler projector which becomes effective to vproject the pene-i trating feeler when the filling has reached a predetermineddegree of exhaustion on-a detecting beat.,-

A good, practical is illustrated by ings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of the detecting or feeler sideof the loom, certain of form of the" invention the accompanying drawthe loom partsbeing' omitted for clearness of illustration;

i Fig. 2 is a side elevation-party" in section,- showing the action'of the feeler mechanism when a workingsupply of; filling is presentin the shuttle, I Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail, showing the penetrating feeler moved into its active or operative position or projected when the filling has approached L,13I'6d6t1 mined degree of exhaustion;

Fig. 4 is a sectionaldetail on an-enlarged scale, showing the action of the penetrating feeler in effecting replenishment of filling when the'filling inv the shuttle is substan-- tially exhausted on adetecting beat; 1 j

Fig. 5 is an enlargeddetached perspective view. of portions ofthe feeler; mechanism,

showing more particularly the impinging and penetrating feelers and their associated I ward and from the front of the loom.

, eration.

Fig. 7 is a detached detail of the penetratinv feeler projector; and

ig. 8 is a detached detail in plan view showing one good form of feeler carrier.

The term substantial exhaustion of filling is herein used to designate that degree of exhaustion of filling which dictates that a change of filling be efiected without the production of a partial or mispick or too much waste.

The filling changing mechanism and its associated details for effecting a change of filling in the shuttle when the feeler mechanism callsfor such change, is not herein illustrated because the particulars of such features form no essential part of the present invention, which is more especially directed to the feeler mechanism itself, and the filling replenishing mechanism is or may be of usual type, well understood in the art.

The loom frame 1 may be of suitable construction for supporting the operating parts and it has secured thereto the brackets 2, one at each side of the loom, for supporting the transverse or rock shaft 3 which may likewise be of usual construction and op- Rising from the rock shaft 3 is the arm 4 to which is pivoted at 5 the actuator 6, the rear end portion 7 of which is adapted at times to be engaged by an operating member 8. In the present instance of the invention the rear end portion 7 of the actuator 6 is normally out of the path of movement of the operating member 8, which may be conveniently formed as a part of the cam follower or a separate operating member movable therewith.

Pivotally mounted on the stud 9 supported by the bracket 10 rising from the loom frame is the transmitter 11, the arm 12 of which is provided with a pin 13 which underlies the actuator 6. The other portion of the transmitter 11 has adjustably connected to it the cam plate 14 having a cam member 15 through which extends the end portion 16 of an arm 17 p'ivotally mounted on a stud 18 for swinging movement in a direction to- A spring 19 normally holds the arm 17 in its rearward position. The mechanism thus'far described may be of usual type, and the details thereof may be varied.

The lay 20 is provided with the usual shuttle-box 21 to receive the shuttle 22 in which is supported the filling carrier or bobbin 23 having the filling or weft 24 wound thereon. The front wall of the shuttle-box in the present instance of the invention. is provided with an opening 25 and the adjacent or front wall of the shuttle 22 is similarly provided with an opening 26 which is designed to register with the openings 25 when the shuttle is in the detecting box to permit the entrance of the feeler or feelers. In the present instance there are two feelers,

one an impinging and the other a penetrating feeler, which are supported by a feeler carrier for movement toward and from the front of the loom. Feeler carriers as now generally known, consist either of a sliding plate which is movable toward and from the front of the loom, or a swinging arm which is pivotally mounted on the loom frame. Either of these may be conveniently used, but in the present instance of the invention the former is shown in the drawings.

Extending from the main portion of the loom frame is the frame or shipper-stand 27 having the arm 28 which is provided with a slot 29 to which is adjustably secured the bracket 30. In the present instance of the invention the bracket 30 comprises a plate, Fig. 1, which may be secured on the arm, 28 by a clamp or set screw 31. Mounted on the bracket or supporting plate 30 is the feeler stand 32 which may be conveniently secured tothe bracket or supporting plate 30 by the clamping bolts r The feeler stand 32 is shown as having a cover plate 34 which may be secured to the base portion of the feeler stand by.

screws or other holding means 35. A slot 36 in a portion of the feeler stand and cover plate permit adjustment of the feeler stand and the parts carried thereby toward and from the front of the loom as usual in this class of devices.

Mounted for sliding movement toward and from the front of the loom onthe feeler stand is the feeler carrier 37, the front end portion of which is formed as a stem 38 about which is placed a spring 39, one end of which bears against a shoulder 40 at the front part of the feeler stand and the other part of which bears against a shoulder 41 on the feeler carrier, the construction being such that the spring 39 normally holds the feeler carrier in rearward position with permissive movement frontwardly.

The feeler carrier 37 supports the impinging and penetrating feelers. In the present instance the impinging feeler is supported at the rear end portion of the feeler carrier 37 and comprises a blunt contacting surface which may engage the filling on a detecting beat without injurious effect. The imping ing feeler in the present instance comprises the rear end portion 42 of the feeler carrier and a cover plate 43 which may be appropriately secured to the part 42, the construction being such that the rear portion 42 of the feeler carrier and its cover 43 provide a chamber for the penetrating feeler.

j Mounted between the part 42 and the cover plate 43 of the impinging feeler is the penetrating feeler which comprises the slide 44 having a penetrating point 45. The rear end portion of the penetrating feeler is adapted to extend through the face portion of the impinging feeler when the penetrating feeler is in active or operative position, but normally'the penetrating feeler is held in retracted position sothat on a detecting beat the penetrating point will not engage the filling so long as a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle.

In the present instance the penetrating feeler slide 44 is provided with a recess 46, Fig. 5, in which is placed a spring 47, one end of which bears against a pin 48 secured to the impinging feeler, and the other end of which bears against a shoulder 49 on the penetrating 'feeler slide, the effect being that the spring47 normally holds the penetrating feeler inret-racted position relative to the impinging feeler, and with its point 45 frontward of the surface of the impinging feeler, the construction being. such that under normal working conditions with a sufficient sup- 7 ply of filling, the impinging feeler will engage the filling on each detecting beat, but the penetrating feeler will fail to engage the filling and the point 45thereof will not be exposed. It is desirable, however, when the filling in the shuttle approaches substantial,

exhaustion, but prior to the occurrence of substantial exhaustion, that. the penetrating feeler be moved to active or operative position tothereafter determine when the filling is'substantially exhausted and a change of filling is desirable. To effect movement of the penetrating feeler to active or operative position, the present invention provides that when the impinging feeler enters the shuttle sufficiently far to indicate, approaching substantial exhaustion, a penetrating feeler projector will become active to move the penetrating feeler rearwardly into its active or operative position.

In the present instance the cover plate 43, the rear end surface of which forms part of the impinging feeler, is provided with.

upwardly-extending lugs 50, Figs. 1 and 5',

a pin 58 extending through the lower por-.

tion 42 and the cover 43 of, the impinging feeler, the constructionbeing such that the spring 5'7 normallybears against the front shoulder 56 of the hunter carrier, Fig. 6, and

causes its rear shoulder 59 to rest against a; stop 60 mounted on or formed as part of the feeler carrier,Figs. 3 and4.

The upper portion of the hunter carrier mounted the projector 63.

52 is provided with a'bearing' or opening 61, Fig. 6, in which is mounted thepin 62, Figs. 3, 4 and 5. jects laterally from the hunter carrier, as indicated in Fig. 5,,and on it is loosely The projector 63, whiclrisshown detached in Fig. 7, has

anelongated opening 64, through which the stud: 51 passes, andbelow the opening 64 the projector 63is provided with a projection or lip65 against which.normallybears,

One end of the pin 62' prothe flange or front end portion 66 of the...

penetrating feeler slide 44.

Pivotally mounted on the jpin-67 support- I ed by the upwardly extending portions '68 of thecover plate 43, is the actuator 69 which has a downturned end, portion 70, against; which normally rests the frontward [curved portion Tlof the projector. The actuator J- 69 is normally under the influence of a spring plunger 72 which may be conve-n-f iently supportedon thefeeler stand, Fig. l 2. The spring plunger 72 may be formed as part of a stem 73 seated'ina'socket portion 74 on the feeler stand, and normally pressed stop 76serves to limit the downward movement of the spring-pressed"plun er;, The

front end of the actuator 69 has a fan-tail 9f! the actuator 69 is lifted-i fromits fullrto its or notched portion 77, Fig. 2,which,when

dotted line position, 2', and moved. front-; I

wardly, is adapted to engage the arm 16 'of' the lever 17 hereinbefore described, andfto move it .frontwardly to thereby effect re plenishment of filling. i

ion 1 The construction is such that when a working supply of filling. is present in a shuttle on a detecting beat, as indicated in Fig. 2, the spring-pressed plunger 7 2, acting uponthe actuator 69, holds the. downturned end 70 of the actuator against the rounded surface 71 of the penetrating feeler projector and the shoulder 65 of the n'ojectorwill rest against the flange ofthe penetrating feeler slide 44, the pin 51 at such times acting as a stop' to the contre-cloclnvise swinging movement of theprojector. lVi-th the parts in the position described',-the penetrating;

p p pa 1 point-4.) of the penetrating ieeler wilr be retracted with relation to the rear end iinpinging surface of the impingingfeeler, and

will not engage the filling on a detecting 1 heat, so long as aworkingsupply.of filling is present in the shuttle.v Asthe filling appreaches substantial exhaustion, the. imping ing feeler will enter theshuttle further and further until finally, when the filling has reached .a predetermined degree of exhaustion but prior to substantial exhaustioirlthe bu-nter .54will engage the front wall of the l shuttle or some other fixed part on the lay, and swing the'bunter carrier 52 about the stud 51 as an axis, thereby likewise turning.

the projector 63 about the same axis. .Such

9O downwardly by a spring 7 5. An adjustablev wardly until the penetrating point ofthe penetrating ieeler extends beyond the rear end portion of the impinging feeler. This condition is represented in Fig. 8, wherein the filling is shown as approaching substantial exhaustion. As the filling continues. to be withdrawn from the shuttle during the weaving operation, the penetrating point 45.

will finally be struck by the more dense surface of the bobbin or falling carrier 23, with the result that the penetrating feeler will be moved frontwardly relative to the impinging teeler, thereby swinging the projector 63 about the pin 62 as an axis and acting through the downturned end 70 of the actuator to turn the actuator about the axis 67' and lift its front end portion 77 in position to engage the arm l6and effect loom stoppage as the feeler carrier moves frontwardly. The position assumed by the parts when the penetrating feeler ascertains that the filling is substantially exhausted is indicated in Fig. 4;, wherein it will be noted that the penetrating feeler has been pushed *l'rontwardly relative to the impinging tteeler and has moved the projector 63 about its axis (32 as a centre, thereby placing the actuator 69 in operative position for effecting replenishment of filling.

Hereinbetore the impinging feeler has been described as formed by the rear end portions of the plates 42 and 43, through an opening, in which the penetrating point 4L5 of the penetrating feeler is adapted to pass when the penetrating fee'ler moves into active or operative position. This construction is simple and well suited for mechanically working out the invention, but obviously the impinging leeler and penetrating feeler may be changed as to details, within the true scope of the actual invention.

TV hen the impinging feelerflis formed by the lower plate a2 which may constitute the rear end portion of the feeler carrier. and the plate 41-3, as hereinbe'liore described, the cover plate 43 may be secured to the lower plate 42 by screws 78, but these details ott course may be varied within wide limits.

What is claimed is 1 1. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising in combination, an impinging feeler and a penetrating feeler, means which normally holds the penetrating feeler from engagement with the filling on a detecting beat, a feeler projector for moving the penetrating feeler into the filling engaging position, a bunter for operating the projector and adapted to be actuated only upon the filling reachinga predetermined degree of depletion prior to substantial exhaustion, an

actuator which is moved into operative posi penetrating feeler prior to substantial eX-' haustion, an actuator adapted to have movement of the ,penetratmg feeler imparted thereto by the projector when the feeler is moved frontwardly relative to the impinging feeler, andmeans controlled by the actuator for effecting replenishment of filling.

3. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, an impinging feeler and a penetrating feeler, means v hich normally holds the penetrating feeler from engagement with the filling on a detecting beat, a 'feeler projector for moving the penetrating it'eeler into active position, m ans lfor causing the projector to project the penctrating feeler prior to substantial exhaustion, an actuator engaging the projector and adapted to be operated thereby when the projector is moved by frontward movement of the penetrating feeler relative to the impinging feeler, and means controlled by the actuator for efi'ecting' replenishment of filling.

4:. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, an impinging feeler and a penetrating feeler, means which normally holds the penetratingfeeler from engagement with the filling on a detecting beat, a feeler projector mounted for two movements, a hunter for effecting one of said movements when the filling approaches substantial exhaustion to actively position the penetrating feeler, means rendered effective when the penetrating ileeler moved relatively to the impinging feeler on the beat-up for imparting the other'movement to the feeler projector, and an actuator which is rendered operative by the second movement of the projector for effecting replenishment of filling.

5. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, an impinging feeler and a penetratingfee ler, means which normally holds the penetrating feeler from engagement with the filling on a detecting beat, a feeler projector mounted for rocking movement about different axes, means for impartting rocking movement of the projector about one of said axes when the filling ap proaches substantial exhaustion to thereby actively position the penetrating :feeler,

-meansfor imparting rocking movement of the projector about another of said axes when the penetrating feeleris moved relatively to theimpinging-feeler on the beatup, and means for'replenishing'fillingren dered effective when the projector partakes ofits secondrrocking movement.

6. A feeler mechanism for'looms, comprising, in combination, an impingi1i'g1feelerand a penetrating feeleiymeans whiclrnor mally holds the penetratlng feeler from engagement with the filling on a detecting beat, a feeler projector which is mounted for two difierent'movements, means for effectlng one of sald movements'only when the filling approaches substantial exhaustion' on a detecting beat to actively-position the penetrating feeler, meansbetween *the penetrating feeler and projector for imparting the other movement to the projector when the penetrating feeler is moved frontwardly by engagement with the dense surface of the filling carrier or bobbin, and means actuated through the projector when it partakes of its second movement to re plenish the filling.

7. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, an impinging feeler and a penetrating feeler, means which normally holds the penetrating feeler from engagement with the filling on a detecting beat, a feeler projector operable to move the penetrating feelerinto active position and adapted to yield under frontward pressure of the penetrating feeler, a hunter for oper ating the projector to project the feeler and adapted to be actuated only after the supply of filling in the shuttle has reached a predetermined degree of exhaustion, an actuator operable by the projector uponmovement of ing feeler relative to the impinging feeler,

means for operating the projector to project the feeler only after the filling in the shuttle has reached a predetermined degree of exhaustion, and means operable by the projector to effectreplenishment of filling when the projector is operated by frontwarol movement of the penetrating feeler relative to the impinging feeler.

A feeler mechanism for looms, co ;pr1s1ng, 1ncombinat on, aIfeeler carrier,:fan

impinging i eeler and atpenetrating feeler supported by the carrier, means which I nor mally holdsvthe'penetrating feeler fr0men gagement with the filling 'onva detecting I beat, a bunter carr'ier pivotally supported by the" teeler carrier, a projector pivotally mounted upon the hunter carrier and movable'by the hunter carri'er into positionto project the penetrating feeler, abunterfor rocking the bunter carrier into position to project the penetrating tteeler, means 1 actuated by frontward movement o'li the p'enetrating v feeler relative to :the impinging 1' 'feeler to swing the proj eetor" about itsrpivot'al {mounting upon the bunter carrieryand means actuated by said swing movement of 10. A feeler mechanism for looms',qc;omprising, in combination, 'a' feeler oarri elg an .the v projector to effect replenishment of filling.

impinging feelertand a penetrating feeler supported by the carrier, means which nor; mally holds the penetrating feeler from engagement with the filling on a detecting beat, a projector for moving the penetrating feeler to its projected position, a pin sup ported by the carrier and having the projector mounted thereupon for swing move- I 'ment and for movement bodily relative to the pin, a bunter for rocking the projector into position to project the penetrating feeler, means actuated by frontward movement of the penetrating feeler relative to the impinging feeler to move the projector bodily'relative to said pin, and means actuated by said bodily movementto eii ect replenishment of filling. a

' 11. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, a feeler carrier, an impinging feeler and va penetrating feeler supported by the carrier, means which'normally holds the penetrating feeler from engagement with the filling 'ona detecting beat, a pivot pin supported by the carrier, a bunter carrier rockingly mounted on said pin,- a projector for projecting the penetrat ing feeler rockingly mounted on said pin and movable bodily relative to the pin, a connection between the bunter carrier and projector to impart rocking movement of the former to the latter, a bunter for operating the bunter carrier to project the penetrating feeler, means actuated by frontward movement of the penetrating feeler relative to the impinging feeler to move the projector bodily relative to said pin, and

means actuated by said bodily movement to effect replenishment of 'filling. j

12. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

combination of an actuator, an impinging and a penetrating feeler, a bunter carrier;

on the impinging feeler' and mounted for 'feeler and the other to position the actuator for replenishment of filling, and a train of vmechanism operated by the actuator when positioned by said other rocking movement of the projector.

13. In a feeler mechanism for (looms, the combination of a feeler slide mounted for movement towards and from the front of the loom, a penetrating and impinging feeler mounted on theifeeler slide, a bunter carrier mounted for swinging movement on the slide, apenetrating feeler projector having a pivotal movement with the swinging bunter carrier and a further swinging movement relative to the bunter carrier, an actuator normally tending to swing the projeetor about one of its axes and moved] against its normally acting force by the penetrating feeler when the feeler is moved by engagement with the dense surface of the filling carrier, and means for replenish ing filling, i

14. In a feeler mechanism for looms,the

combination of an impinging and a penetrating feeler, a bunter carrier which is displaced by frontward pressure upon it when the filling is substantially exhausted, a spring normally acting on the penetrating feeler to hold it in retracted and non-filling engaging position, a penetrating :Eeeler projector held frontward by the penetrating tfeeler and moved rearwardly by the bunter,

ALONZO E. RI-IOADES. 

